Our Thoughts Influence Our Life.

The Power of Follow Through, Tenacity and Approachability

The Power of Follow Through, Tenacity and Approachability

As I was leaving one work place, I ask for feedback on my work from three of my bosses/ customers. They used the words like tenacity, follow through, friendly, likeable. They expressed, that when I am given a task I don’t just do it for that meeting, I do it until the right resolution (or whatever the outcome) is achieved. Once I am given I task it will be followed through, they won’t have to chase or ask about progress. I ask for assistance when I get stuck, but I always give it a go before asking for help. The word tenacity was used by all three, I make it happen in an honesty and integrity in my special way. I am liked by all I work with from colleagues to customers because I know my stuff (or if I didn’t I would say I need to get back to you).

I am not singing my own praises, I just wanted to highlight my feedback to inspire you in your careers.

The boss, the customer have so much on their plates, they need people to just get on with it, and someone who knows when to ask for help and keep the boss updated with progress or lack of progress.

Follow through is important, to complete the task all the way to the end. Not just for that one meeting.

Don’t be afraid to tell the boss, I am having a bit of an issue here and this is want I want to try before I need you to step in and use your position.

You need to ask for help in a timely way, not when the item of work is due and there is no space to fix whatever needs to be fixed.

To be an easy employee, a no worry employee, make it happen employee, keep boss and customers up to date, to be friendly and approachable, and to know when to say I need help now (after trying to solve it yourself, to be an self-starter, to even take work without being asked, make you a great employee and you set yourself up for bigger and better things.

Always be aware of what is unsaid.

Be confident. I can at times lack confidence when actually I should be confident, cause my work is good. We all have hang ups that we need to work on and it is important to keep on working on them. Face Your fear and carry on regardless.

Also, you should not be scared to disagree with the boss or customer, just be diplomatic in the way you disagree. Sometimes, you are closer to the work and the boss and customer can’t see what you’re seeing. Vice-a-Versa sometimes they know more that you.

There is nothing like experience and experience will come with time. I would always keep a book of what I did right and what I did wrong and how to improve. This helped me to get better and to be self-correcting.

Also, learn the diplomatic way of saying no to work and if you are getting pulled.

Be aware of your own strengths, weaknesses and your overused strengths.

Always be self-correcting, if the company offer self-development courses then take them. Your soft skills, your friendliness and effectiveness are extremely powerful skill. Technical skill for a job are must but soft skill add another layer of greatness to you.

On a final note, you time management needs to be spot on. Keep a diary and look at it. Understand how long a task is going to take. Never leave a task to the last minute, because an emergency will come up and you will not be able to give your best work to that task – sod’s law always applies.

I have read a few books on how to be a good at the job, and attended courses through work to improve whatever needs improving. We are always WIP – Works in Progress and we will always be. It is always nice to be learning and growing, it helps you in your career and in your personal life.

The book I would like to recommend to you that I came across in 2009 that I totally love, and I think it is brilliant. I wish I knew of it earlier in my career. It is totally geared for our careers and if you ever wonder where do HR get all the Skills etc that we need have to do a job, that we are marked on as part of year end review m- well here you go.

I wrote this post in July 2016. In July 2017 after being out of work for over two years due to an illness in the family and a little bit of my own time out, I was able to ask a small question of my old boss -” would they consider me in the future for part time position”. I was not expecting a part time position in the field of IT for the days I wanted to work, which were Monday , Wednesday and Friday. My mum said asked and I thought why not no harm. And guess what- I am almost completing two years in a part time role in IT, for a former employer where I use to work from 7am to 10pm on a project. I am not singing my praises , I am providing an example of why the words in the post work along with affimrations. I am the living example and proof of this post. Anything can be achieve if only we try and keep wanting to improve and learn.

You know Miriam, i am luck as well I have a great boss and mature and understanding colleagues. But, i have had my share of hyper bosses and you could be the best employed – but that hyper boss just makes things.. until they leave or you leave. Thats why experience and self respect is important and not take it personally – but is so hard to do especially when your younger.